MacNeill Baptist Church
News and Notes
Church Moderator: Sonia Rogers
Minister of Worship and Pastoral Care: Rev. Susan St John
Director of Music: Monica Admiral
Custodian: Sandy Palin
Associate Ministers in Spiritual Care: Garry Blinch, Robert Bond, Claire Gosselin, David Jones, Felida Toledo
Pastoral Care: When you would like someone to pray with, to request a pastoral visit, or to publish a prayer request please contact
Susan St John at 905-512-9897 or sstjohn.macneill@gmail.com
Pastoral Care Team: Heather Hobbs, David Jones, Bruce Papky, Feli Toledo and Beverly Woods.
Your continued financial support of our congregation is appreciated. Donations can be mailed to the church, or made through e-transfer at donations@macneillbaptist.ca, or from the Donate Now link our website. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Flowers in the Sanctuary
The flowers in the sanctuary today are in loving memory of Ray (Dr TR Hobbs January 31, 1942 – November 6, 2020), placed by Heather, Catherine and Greg and family.
Celebration of Life for Olga Jenkins
The memorial service for Olga will be held on Saturday Nov 8 at Bay Gardens, 943 Rymal Road, Hamilton. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, with the service beginning at 11 am, followed by a lunch reception. Olga has requested donations to MacNeill’s Women’s Mission Circle (Women of MacNeill) in lieu of flowers.
In Remembrance
MacNeill’s annual Remembrance service will take place as part of next Sunday’s worship service (November 9th)
Next Council DATE CHANGE
We are having to change the date of the next council meeting to Wednesday Nov 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm in the parlour. A zoom link will be circulated for those unable to attend.
Sockerama
Your Outreach Board is again holding a sock drive for the homeless. For the next two Sundays, (November 9 and 16), there will be a Sox Box in the Narthex to receive your donations of new winter socks. Donations will be delivered to Mission Services.
The Children’s International Learning Centre (CILC) was established by MacNeill members Sheila and Doug Davies 55 years ago on October 24, 1970! To celebrate this milestone, CILC hosted an Anniversary Open House on Wednesday October 29th.
Women of MacNeill
Advance Notice: The November 8th meeting of the Women of MacNeill has been cancelled due to the service for Olga Jenkins that day.
Advent Planning
It’s time to open our hearts in planning for this amazing season of rebirth for our worship. If your prayer is directing you to be a planner for Advent, Blue Christmas, or Christmas Eve, please contact Rev. Susan by phone or text at 905-512-9897 or email at sstjohn.macneill@gmail.com. We’ll begin our planning in November.
Music Feeds the Soul
On Sunday Nov 2 at 3 pm at Westdale United Church, there will be a benefit concert supporting the Westdale Community Lunch and Gift Card Program. It will feature music from Ian Green, Chris Bee, MacNeill Baptist (yes… us!) and the poetry of Hamilton Arts Awards Winner John Terpstra. Admission is by donation.
Anniversary Service- Nov 16 2025
MacNeill’s 95th Anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday November 16. Our guest speaker is the Rev Junia Joplin, Associate Pastor of Programs and Congregational Care, Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Following the service there will be anniversary cake at coffee hour and immediately following coffee hour everyone is invited to meet in the parlour with our guest speaker for discussion together, addressing the challenge of how to be the Church in these times of struggle.
Please bring a brown bag lunch for this part of our anniversary day
Our discussion will receive financial support from the Dr Russell Aldwinckle Fund
With Glowing Hearts – Sinfonia Ancaster
Our 2025-2026 season opens with four exciting works for full orchestra, by four Canadian composers. In the second half, Ancaster’s very own internationally-celebrated concert pianist Valerie Tryon returns to the Sinfonia Ancaster stage! A recipient of the Order of Canada, Tryon will perform Beethoven’s reflective and poetic 4th piano concerto. Tryon’s Sinfonia performance in 2024 sold out — secure your seats now! Don’t miss the opening of this vibrant season, as Sinfonia Ancaster celebrates 10 years!
Sunday Nov 2, 2:00 pm, at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
357 Wilson Street East, Ancaster, ON L9G 2C1
https://www.sinfoniaancaster.com/
Benefit Concert for Safe Families, Haldimand-Norfolk- Nov 28
Experience the Soenen Sisters, a talented ensemble of harp, cello, flute and vocals, bringing stellar performances to any stage.
Friday Nov 28, 7-9 pm at Gateway Church in Caledonia. $35 adult, $15 child under 18.
Request for Accommodation
Rev. Debbie Iversen of Little Bethel Community Church is hoping to help a young woman in her congregation find a place to live. Her budget is only $1000 per month. She currently lives in a very small makeshift apartment in the basement of a small apartment building. It used to be a storage room that they converted into a bachelor apartment. Does anyone know of an apartment or place for rent she would be able to afford? She now lives east of the Centre Mall. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
